Q: The demand is for a seamless Web experience in B2B along the whole transaction chain. Can developing countries really get onboard this process? What can governments do?

Levitin: The projections are that by 2006 US$1.8 trillion will be saved in B2B by the use of e-commerce. It is simply a more efficient model for doing business. But we don't really have it yet. Governments need to tackle the issues of authenticity, privacy and seamless international transactions. Companies need a Global Business Template.

Q: In this Global Business Template, what are the openings available for a developing country?

Levitin: We are moving from a networked society, which we have in many places, to a global electronic marketplace. This transition will be driven by technology, and our societies will need to adapt our institutions to this speed.

Q: But we have been hearing in our brainstorming of the difficulties that developing countries have in being able to adopt this Global Business Template.

Levitin: The problem is one of knowledge, of understanding, and only then lack of finance and public-private partnership, whatever that partnership should be. That's why I am in the 'education' business. The first thing we have to do is convince governments -- persuade them, train them, scare them perhaps -- that it is in their interest to do something to catch up with this world.

Q: India took 15 years of concerted effort to get where it is today -- at the forefront of the digital economy and able to participate in strategic alliances with major companies in the West. But do other developing countries have this luxury of three 'electronic generations' to catch up?

Levitin: I think the answer is similar to that faced by individuals in their private lives. You need to sit down and examine what you are good at -- what your core competences are, where you can leverage your skills. In business or in governments, you start with leadership and vision, then move into your core competences. Then you take up governance issues: who is in charge of the process? In fourth position, you then look at technology. Afterwards you get back to basics and concentrate on your e-commerce strategy, Website and online strategies. But only once you have answered the other questions.

Q: Is that as true for African countries as well as the new Asian 'Tigers'?

Levitin: I truly believe that anyone can participate in the new digital economy -- so long as they understand that the most important skill and the most important environment is one that promotes creativity, entrepreneurship, imagination, and training and education for awareness of where the world is going. It is not about technology tools. It is not about products. And it is not about service.

Q: But one of the major problems facing the poorest countries is lack of capital...

Levitin: I don't really see that lack of capital should prevent this development from taking place. ICQ out of Israel started with US$5,000 and sold three years later for US$400 million. That's a good export. But you have to have an environment that creates that kind of creativity. The US is not a homogenous country from this point of view. The environment exists in New York City and California -- an optimism about starting businesses and not being put off by failure, for example.

Q: One major difference in approaches is between national strategies and regional clustering policies. Another is in education: should we start with the secondary schools or the strategy makers? What is your advice to the strategy maker who has to advise on policy?

Levitin: You have to start with yourself, and you have to progress. The second step, and not everyone agrees with me, is to look at what is going to happen tomorrow, not concern yourself with what is happening today. Unless you have US$200 billion to spend, you are not going to be Yahoo. We are not going to have another American Online. But you can do exactly what Yahoo did, i.e. look at what is coming in new tools and technologies.

Q: Even in developing countries?

Levitin: Anywhere. But the speed of technology development is increasing. The next big thing could come as easily out of Ireland as San Diego or Silicon Valley. If you concentrate on what is happening now, you will find they are already on the next planet by the time you have caught up.

Q: But a number of participants say that developing countries should concentrate on using what technology they have and apply different models to increase digital participation, for example through sharing electronic resources.

Levitin: As I said, not everyone agrees with me.

Q: But how can developing countries carry out this strategic planning?

Levitin: It is not rocket science. Everybody does it. I plan for my family. Companies plan. Governments plan. We all know how to do it.

Q: So what is coming next?

Levitin: Some people think, and I agree, that it will be the connection of the cyberworld to the analytical world, through sensor technology, nano technologies and molecular technologies.

Q: Is there a Forum where strategy maker in a developing country can participate to get up to speed on what is happening?

Levitin: This is in fact the first Forum of its kind that I have been to. So far, the similar activities have been driven by for-profit activities. Their agenda is not the same as an non-profit organization and may not be concerned with society at large. But these issues also need to be discussed by people with social and political agendas.